Belt and knife sheath for hunters



L. P. CARINCI Oct. 13, 1970 BELT AND KNIFE SHEATH FOR HUNTERS Filed May l5, 1968 R. Am, n N a @A .m W r\ w ,L h C P. m, o .L Y B 6 3 LA M.. AW v N w v Av, om 2 w United States Patent O 3,533,540 BELT AND KNIFE SHEATH FOR HUNTERS Louis I. Carinci, 321 N. High St., Mount Vernon, N.Y. 10550 Filed May 15, 1968, Ser. No. 729,184

Int. Cl. B26b 29/02 U.S. Cl. 224--2 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A knife sheath characterized by an elongated strip that is foldable along the medial portion thereof to form first and second sheath portions. A loop is aixed to the first portion and adapted to encircle the second portion, the folded medial portion being supported by a belt. A pocket is provided on an outward surface of the second sheath portion for accommodating and retaining the blade of a hunting knife. Upon disengagement of the aforementioned entraining contact between the loop and the second portion, the sheath may be removed from the belt.

The present invention relates to knife sheaths and more particularly to a disassembling knife sheath adapted for retention by a belt.

In recent years, a growing interest in the sport of hunting has increased thereby creating demands for more flexible hunting equipment. Prior equipment has included knife sheaths with loops attached thereto for sliding engagement with a hunters belt. As will be appreciated, the hunter was inconvenienced each time he wished to put on or remove the sheath because this necessitated the opening of his belt and the manipulation thereof.

The present invention includes a disassembling knife sheath which may be easily assembly on a belt without the opening and manipulation thereof. Further, the belt structure itself is adapted to receive a gun holster, ammunition loops being provided thereon. Accordingly, the present belt and sheath structure provide compact flexibility and convenience for the hunter in maintaining his basic equipment in a ready position.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view illustrating the mounting of a disassembling knife sheath on a hunters belt.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along a plane passing through section line 2 2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along a plane passing through section line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along a plane passing through section line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

yReferring specifically to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is denoted by reference numeral which is seen to include a hunters belt 12 adapted to mount a holster 14 (shown in phantom). The rear portion of the belt includes cartridge loops 16 for accommodating ammunition therein. The forward portion of the belt includes conventional buckle means 18. A lateral portion of the belt opposite that portion accommodating the aforementioned holster 14 includes an aperture 20 therein, the aperture characterized by an oblong shape. The aperture is adapted to mount a disassembling knife sheath generally denoted by 22.

Attention is directed to FIG. 2 which illustrates an elongated leather strip 24 having a first portion 26, a second portion 28 and a median flexible portion 30 therebetweenjThe aforementioned first and second portions Mice are folded along medial portion 30 to an overlying position. The resulting sheath structure is characterized by straight parallel vertical edges appending to a curved downward edge conforming to the curvature of a conventional hunters knife blade. Each of the aforementioned first and second sheath portions are comprised of a rst outward leather layer 32 and a second inward layer 34. These layers are maintained in fixed relation by suitable stitching 35 shown in FIG. l. The purpose of sewing the two layers together is to present finished surfaces on both sides of the sheath when elongated thereby improving the appearance and durability thereof.

A loop 36 retains the first and second sheath portions in overlying relation. The ends of this loop are sewn to the surface of the rst sheath portion normally confronting the second portion and indicated by 38 in FIG. 4.

The main body of the loop is retained in spaced relation to the first sheath portion so as to permit sliding insertion of the second portion therethrough until final overlying relation between the first and second sheath portions is completed. For purposes of appearance, the main loop body may be split and secured together by means of cross stitching 39.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a pair of thongs 40 extending from the lower disposed point of the second sheath portion, these thongs being adapted for encircling engagement with a wearers leg to retain the knife sheath in overlying relation therewith during movement of the users body. The thongs are fixed to the sheath by means of a suitable fastener 42.

A flap member or pocket 44 shaped in a similar configuration to a hunters knife blade is sewn as denoted by 48 to surface 32 of the second sheath portion 28. The top edge of this pocket is opened for permitting free insertion and removal of a knife blade 46.

A snap openable retainer or collar 50 is sewn to surface 32 of the second sheath portion 28 for the purpose of retaining a knife handle 52 in secured position within the sheath pocket. FIG. 3 clearly illustrates the structure of the retainer to include a snap fastener 54 disposed in overlying relation with the outward surface of knife handle 52 for rapid and convenient axis to the wearers hand.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. The combination of a belt and removably attached knife sheath, said sheath having elongated strip means including first and second portions and a flexible medial integral portion therebetween, means affixed to said first strip portion and releasably retaining said second strip portion in overlying relation thereto when said strip means is folded along said medial portion and pocket means affixed to said second strip portion for accommodating a knife blade, said belt receiving said medial portion of the strip means for supporting the sheath and enabling movement of the first or second portion of the strip means during assembly and disassembly of the sheath with the belt, said means including a loop encircling said second strip portion.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said belt includes an aperture receiving said strip means.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said Ifirst and second portions are of substantially equal length, the Width of the outermost portion being slightly less than the width of the innermost portion, said loop being secured to the outer surface of the innermost portion and extending transversely of the side edges of the outermost portion inwardly of the side edges of the innermost portion thereby leaving the side edges of the sheath free of projections.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said strip means is constructed of two layers of material, each layer having at least one finished surface, said finished surfaces being disposed outwardly when assembling the layers in supeiposed relation thereby providing a nished surface facing inwardly and outwardly of the sheath.

5. The structure as dened in claim 2 wherein said belt is provided with a laterally offset lower edge portion, said belt aperture being aligned with the offset lower edge portion of the belt thus maintaining the elfective width of the belt constant and stabilizing the belt at the point of References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,603,861 10/1926 Mundis. 3,307,756 3/ 1967 Brunosson et al. 3,363,813 1/1968 Eastman.

ROBERT G. SHER'IDAN, Primary Examiner 

